NBA Season Preview 2013/14: Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons will be aiming for an improvement on last season’s showing after a busy summer, but whether or not they can put all the pieces together and make it work immediately remains to be seen.

Having gone 29-53 last year which ensured a fifth consecutive losing season and fourth straight without play-off basketball, there is more optimism surrounding the franchise ahead of the new campaign.

Maurice Cheeks is now in charge after the Pistons decided to part company with Lawrence Frank, while their busy trade dealings saw Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings arrive along with Chauncey Billups.

Brandon Knight, Jose Calderon and Jason Maxiell were sacrificed, but with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe still forming part of the core of this team, there are promising figures on this roster and they will be confident of their chances of sneaking into the play-offs.

Drummond will likely be given more minutes under Cheeks, but the new coach will have to get the most out of his players if they are to deliver on their promise.

With such a strong looking front court, Jennings will relish the assists role he will undoubtedly be given, but there is perhaps a lack of quality in depth when looking at the back-court options.

Nevertheless, back the Pistons to make the post-season as the last three seeding spots in the Eastern Conference are fairly open.

The likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics will prove to be their more direct competition, but if the Pistons can get off to a strong start and find some stability and consistency in their roster, then they can expect a much improved outcome at the end of the regular season and potentially snap their losing streak over the last few years.